MISSION

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CONTRADICTION AND STRUGGLE  is an American production company  dedicated to creating film and television that reframes history and challenges conventional politics of respectability and branding.  

CREATIVE SERVICES 

Creative Development, Story Consulting,  Production Services,  Public Talks and Strategic Partnerships.

VALUES

Authenticity, creativity, dedication, equity, freedom, joy, peace and vision.

RESPECT those that came before us and those yet to come.

BACKGROUND

Contraction and Struggle was founded by longtime film and tv producer Rachel Watanabe-Batton to create inclusive iconography and tell tales that inspire conversations and foster community. She has worked across platforms and genres, executive producing Emmy-nominated programming for Disney Branded Television, critically-acclaimed art installations with director Julie Dash for The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, independent narrative and documentary films, top-ten music videos and global ad campaigns.

As an advocate, Watanabe-Batton serves on the Board of Directors of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and leads the Advisory Board of the largest public media access organization in the nation, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), as former board chair.  She served four terms on the Executive Committee of the Board of Producers Guild of America East (PGA) as Vice Chair and Member-at-Large; and was honored with a MADE IN NY Award by Mayor DeBlasio and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for her leadership as Chair of PGA Diversity and Co-Founder of PGA Women’s Impact Network (PGA WIN). She co-founded the member-driven Women Independent Producers (WIP) and as Chair of PGA East Diversity Committee, launched PGA CultureSHIFT storytelling project, inter-guild women's and diversity programs, veterans initiatives, industry screenings, talks and popular film festival parties.  

Watanabe-Batton's blended African Asian American background allow her to bridge cultural gaps, find common ground and intersecting stories. Storytelling has the power to create compassion and freedom, or bias and fear.  

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT FREEDOM IS IN OUR FUTURE.